Zhuang Yu Shan naturally didn’t believe her: “What nonsense are you spouting? These are excuses – you’re incredibly presumptuous!”

Han Yan smiled sweetly at her: “I knew Sister Yu-Shan wouldn’t believe me. The immortal took pity on Han Yan and bestowed some celestial pastries. Look, there are still crumbs from what I ate on the ground.”

Zhuang Yu Shan looked down and indeed saw white pastry crumbs scattered on the ground. She became furious: “You had someone bring food in!”

Han Yan said plaintively: “Sister Yu Shan is wronging me. The servants wouldn’t dare disobey Father’s orders. The ancestral hall was locked, so Han Yan couldn’t get out, and even if the maids wanted to bring food, they couldn’t open this door – how could they have brought anything in?” The Zhou sisters had deliberately made things difficult for her and wouldn’t let maids bring food. Even Ji Lan and Shu Hong were under house arrest – who would dare do such a thing under Madam Zhou’s nose? Seeing Zhuang Yu Shan’s expression soften, she added fuel to the fire: “I’ve always said Sister Yu Shan is most devout. The deities are three feet above our heads, watching our every move.”

Zhuang Yu Shan stepped back two paces, looking at her as if facing a formidable enemy: “I don’t believe a word you say.” Then she became smug again: “On the eighth of next month, I’ll enter the Wei Wang’s manor as the Crown Prince’s secondary consort, while you – you can prepare to be a spinster for life.” She glanced at Han Yan contemptuously: “Why don’t you beg me now? Perhaps I could get the Crown Prince to grant you the position of a servant concubine. Even such a lowly status is better than having no man at all.”

Han Yan remained unmoved by her cruel words, merely smiling: “Sister Yu Shan came specially to release Han Yan today, which naturally makes me happy. But let me offer you some advice.” Her lips curled maliciously, showing the same arrogance as Fu Yun Xi that irritated others: “Not every woman in this world is like you, Sister, unable to live without a man.”

“You…” Zhuang Yu Shan was too angry to speak. Han Yan continued smiling: “What kind of men Sister Yu Shan wants, or how many men she wants, is no concern of Han Yan’s.” As she reached the hall’s doorway, she suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back to the furious Zhuang Yu Shan with a smile: “I forgot to tell Sister something. Last night while kneeling on the prayer mat, I prayed about Sister Yu Shan’s marriage. And guess what the deities said?”

Hearing this, Zhuang Yu Shan immediately became tense: “What did they say?”

Han Yan enjoyed her nervous expression for a while before saying lazily: “The deities said… heavenly secrets cannot be revealed.”

“Zhuang Han Yan!” Zhuang Yu Shan couldn’t bear being toyed with and wanted to slap Han Yan, but knowing Han Yan’s methods, she didn’t dare act rashly. She stomped her foot instead: “Go ahead and be smug! Even when you become an unwanted old maid, you can still be smug!”

Han Yan turned her back, waving lazily: “The deities said they will find a good marriage for Han Yan, so don’t trouble yourself, Sister. Farewell, Secondary Consort.” Those last two words carried a slight smile but dripped with mockery as if her facial smile never reached her eyes.

Upon returning to Clear Autumn Court, Madam Chen, Ji Lan, and Shu Hong all hurried to welcome her. It turned out Madam Zhou had confined them all to Clear Autumn Court for negligence in caring for their mistress, preventing them from communicating with Han Yan.

After comforting Ji Lan and Shu Hong, Han Yan sat at the table. Ji Lan sent Madam Chen away and approached Han Yan: “Miss, I have news about what you asked me to investigate.”

Han Yan was startled, then suddenly understood which matter she meant. She quickly pulled Ji Lan into the inner chamber, sat down on the couch, and gestured for her to continue.

“Your mother’s maid was expelled from the manor when Miss was born, supposedly for theft. Afterward, all the maids who came with your mother as part of her dowry were dismissed on various pretexts. Speaking with servants from other courts, I learned that in the year of Miss’s birth, almost all servants in Clear Autumn Court were replaced. Even Madam Chen came afterward.”

Han Yan frowned as she listened. It seemed strange that all Clear Autumn Court’s servants were replaced the year she was born. What matter was so sensitive that they feared information leaking? She clenched her fists – what was going on?

Seeing Han Yan’s expression remained calm, Ji Lan continued: “Of those dismissed maids, some died, some left their hometown – all traces of them have vanished over the years. However… I bribed an old woman in the manor and learned that your mother’s first maid, who was expelled for alleged theft, now works as an embroiderer in a capital shop. If Miss wishes…”

Han Yan bit her lip: “Arrange for me to meet her.”

Ji Lan looked at her hesitantly before finally saying: “Miss… there’s something I’m not sure if I should say.”

She was usually straightforward, rarely this hesitant with Han Yan, who softened her voice: “Go ahead.”

Ji Lan steeled herself: “I heard that when Madam entered the manor, she loved another, not the Master… There were rumors that Madam was already with the child when she entered the manor. Miss… might not be the Master’s biological daughter!”

Like a thunderbolt from clear skies, though she had suspected this before, hearing Ji Lan say it outright was still difficult for Han Yan to accept. The man she had called “Father” for over a decade wasn’t her real father – this explained his coldness all these years. But this revelation brought Han Yan no joy. That person… who was he?

With her mother now deceased, there was no one to answer her questions.

Ji Lan watched her carefully: “When Madam entered the manor, many servants spread such rumors, but all those gossips were severely punished and expelled by the Master.”

Han Yan understood – Zhuang Shi Yang had taken harsh measures to silence everyone. This made Han Yan more puzzled. If true, her origins were truly mysterious. And it seemed that person… was no minor figure.

In the Golden Palace Hall, after hearing reports from court officials and discussing important matters, the Emperor asked: “If there is nothing else, the court is dismissed for today.”

But a handsome young man in red robes embroidered with white pythons stepped forward, saying solemnly: “This subject has a matter requiring Your Majesty’s approval.”

The Emperor paused, staring at him: “What matter does Prince Xuan Qing have?”

Fu Yun Xi smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping past Zhuang Shi Yang standing to the side: “This subject wishes to propose marriage to Fourth Miss Zhuang.”

Wei Ru Feng stiffened upon hearing this and glared hatefully at Fu Yun Xi. Before Zhuang Shi Yang could speak, he mockingly said: “Your Highness may not know, but Fourth Miss Zhuang has declared that her future husband can only have her alone – no secondary consorts, no concubines, no chambermaids. Your Highness is of royal blood – best to abandon this idea early.”